BACKGROUND: The peak flowmeter is very useful in monitoring of out-patients as well as those in emergency departments because of its convenience and simplicity with low cost. There have been many studies aimed at determining the accuracy and reproducibility of the peak flow meter in normal population. However, there is a paucity of reports regarding its accuracy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) or asthma. The accuracy of the peak expiratory flow(PEF) measured with a mini-Wright peak flowmeter was assessed by a comparison with the results of a mass flow sensor. METHODS: The PEF measurements were performed in 108 patients aged 19-82 years presenting with either a chronic obstructive lung disease or asthma before and after inhaling salbutamol. The PEF measurements from the mini-Wright flowmeter were compared with those obtained by the calibrated mass flow sensor. RESULTS: The average of the readings taken by the mini-Wright meter were 37-39 l/min higher than those taken by the mass flow sensor. The average percentage error of the mini-Wright meter were higher, ranging less than 300 l/min. The mean of the differences between the values obtained using both instruments (the bias)±limits of agreement(±2 SD) were 37.1±90 l/min for the PEF(p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The mini-Wright peak flowmeter overestimated the flows in patients with COPD or asthma. It was also found that the accuracy of the mini-Wright peak flowmeter decreased in its mid to low range. The limits of agreement are wide and the difference between the two instruments is signigicant. Therefore, the measurements made between the two types of machines in patients with asthma or COPD cannot be used in terchangeably.
Albuterol ; Asthma* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Flowmeters* ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Outpatients ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Reading

Lipoma arborescens is a rare intra-articular lesion consisting of a villous lipomatous proliferation of the synovial lining. We experienced one case of lipoma arborescens of knee which was associated with avascular necrosis of femoral head. This case report draws the attention to history, physical findings, MR images, pathologic findings and arthroscopic appearance of this rare lesion. Arthro;copically, the lesion appears as a synovial lesion with numerous fatty-appearing globules and villous projections. Although the etiology is unknown, lipoma arborescens has been described in association with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus. MR imaging is diagnostic choice to differentiate the lesion from rheumatoid arthritis, pigmented villonodular synovitis and synovial chondromatosis in those patients who present with chronic, swollen and painfui joint. Arthroscopic removal was effective in this case and we think that treatment choice of this lesion is arthroscopic removal.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Chondromatosis, Synovial ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Head ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee* ; Lipoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Necrosis ; Osteoarthritis ; Synovitis, Pigmented Villonodular

Vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma is a very rare malignant disease and it has been known to be associated with in utero exposure to DES. We expreienced a case of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cagina in 40 years ole woman, and present the case with a brief review of related literatures.
Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell* ; Female ; Humans ; Vagina*

Vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma is a very rare malignant disease and it has been known to be associated with in utero exposure to DES. We expreienced a case of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cagina in 40 years ole woman, and present the case with a brief review of related literatures.
Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell* ; Female ; Humans ; Vagina*

The incidence of contrast media extravasation has been increasing gradually. Most contrast media extravasations only can cause pain, swelling and erythema. However, in more severe cases, skin necrosis, ulceration, or compartment syndrome may occur, often necessitating a surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment should be established on the spot in order to avoid such a severe damage. We present a case of 42-year-old woman with a compartment syndrome in the right upper extremity caused by extravasation of computed tomography contrast media.
Adult ; Compartment Syndromes* ; Contrast Media ; Early Diagnosis ; Erythema ; Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Necrosis ; Skin ; Ulcer ; Upper Extremity*

Unlike the case of adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), there was no consistent finding on the changes of sleep architecture in childhood OSAS. Further understanding of the sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) should be needed. Non-linear analysis of EEG is particularly useful in giving us a new perspective and in understanding the brain system. The objective of the current study is to compare the sleep architecture and the scaling exponent (alpha) from detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) on sleep EEG between OSAS and normal children. Fifteen normal children (8 boys/7 girls, 6.0+/-2.2 years old) and twelve OSAS children (10 boys/2 girls, 6.4+/-3.4 years old) were studied with polysomnography (PSG). Sleep-related variables and OSAS severity indices were obtained. Scaling exponent of DFA were calculated from the EEG channels (C3/A2, C4/A1, O1/A2, and O2/A1), and compared between normal and OSAS children. No difference in sleep architecture was found between OSAS and normal controls except stage 1 sleep (%) and REM sleep latency (min). Stage 1 sleep (%) was significantly higher and REM latency was longer in OSAS group (9.3+/-4.3%, 181.5+/-59.9 min) than in controls (5.6+/-2.8%, 133.5+/-42.0 min). Scaling exponent (alpha) showed that sleep EEG of OSAS children also followed the 'longrange temporal correlation' characteristics. Value of alpha increased as sleep stages increased from stage 1 to stage 4. Value of alpha from C3/A2, C4/A1, O1/A2, O2/A1 were significantly lower in OSAS than in control (1.36+/-0.05 vs. 1.41+/-0.04, 1.37+/-0.04 vs. 1.41+/-0.04, 1.37+/-0.05 vs. 1.41+/-0.05, and 1.36+/-0.07 vs. 1.41+/-0.05, p<0.05). Higher stage 1 sleep (%) in OSAS children was consistent finding with OSAS adults. Lower 'alpha' in OSAS children suggests decrease of self-organized criticality or the decreased piling-up energy of brain system during sleep in OSAS children.
Adult ; Brain ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; Humans ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Sleep Stages ; Sleep, REM

No abstract available.
Alopecia Areata ; Alopecia ; Humans ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the volume differences of human brain 3-D MR images obtained by automatic segmentation methods depending on brain templates and image acquisition conditions, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D T1-weighted MR images oriented in coronal and sagittal plane were acquired from eight healthy subjects (29.5+/-5.66 years) using two identical 3T MR scanners at different sites. Caucasian brain template and Korean elderly brain template were applied for the same subject to segment brain structural region. Volumetric differences and variation of gray matter, white matter and hippocampus depending on scan orientations and brain template types were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: Volumetric measurements have some different results for the same subject images depending on scan orientation in identical MR scanners but not significantly. However, all segmented volumes relied upon brain templates were significantly different (p<0.05). Small variation of the volume in gray matter, white matter (coefficient of variation, CV< or =1%) and hippocampus (CV< or =3%) were obtained. Comparing the mean CV in all segmented regions, variation of scan orientation was not significantly different with inter scanner variation but variation relied upon brain templates were significantly different (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Authors found that brain template regarding the specific properties of the subjects is required to reduce the errors of brain volumetry.
Aged ; Brain ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Orientation

Both genetic and environmental factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson Disease (PD). The contribution of many environmental factors including dietary factor remains unproven. The purpose the study was to investigate the dietary habits, nutrient intake and dietary quality of Korean PD patients according to the duration of disease. PD patients were recruited from K and S university hospitals from May 2005 to January 2006. This study was carried out after approval by the Institute Review Board (IRB). British Brain Bank criteria was used to diagnose PD. The subjects were classified into 2 groups based on the duration of PD: < 25 months and > or = 25 months groups. General characteristics, anthropometric measurements, food habits and dietary intakes were investigated. The results of this study were as follows: 1) The mean age of < 25 months group (66.9 +/-8.0 yr) was significantly higher than that of > or = 25 months group (62.2 +/- 8.8 yr) (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found for academic background, occupation, living status and social activity, however, numbers of diseases, exercise and family history of PD were significantly different. 2) Anthropometric measurements were not different between the two groups. 3) The frequency of taking snacks was significantly higher in <25 months group and the amounts of alcohol consumption were significantly higher in > or = 25 months group. 4) Daily intakes of most nutrients were very low compared with DRI. 5) The MAR score was significantly lower in < 25 months group (p < 0.05;) however, the scores of DVS, DDS and DQI were not significantly different. As a conclusion an overall nutrient intake and dietary quality of the Parkinson's Disease patients need to be improved regardless of duration of the disease and a well-balanced diet should be emphasized.
Alcohol Drinking ; Brain ; Diet ; Food Habits ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Nutritional Status ; Occupations ; Parkinson Disease ; Snacks

Both genetic and environmental factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson Disease (PD). The contribution of many environmental factors including dietary factor remains unproven. The purpose the study was to investigate the dietary habits, nutrient intake and dietary quality of Korean PD patients according to the duration of disease. PD patients were recruited from K and S university hospitals from May 2005 to January 2006. This study was carried out after approval by the Institute Review Board (IRB). British Brain Bank criteria was used to diagnose PD. The subjects were classified into 2 groups based on the duration of PD: < 25 months and > or = 25 months groups. General characteristics, anthropometric measurements, food habits and dietary intakes were investigated. The results of this study were as follows: 1) The mean age of < 25 months group (66.9 +/-8.0 yr) was significantly higher than that of > or = 25 months group (62.2 +/- 8.8 yr) (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found for academic background, occupation, living status and social activity, however, numbers of diseases, exercise and family history of PD were significantly different. 2) Anthropometric measurements were not different between the two groups. 3) The frequency of taking snacks was significantly higher in <25 months group and the amounts of alcohol consumption were significantly higher in > or = 25 months group. 4) Daily intakes of most nutrients were very low compared with DRI. 5) The MAR score was significantly lower in < 25 months group (p < 0.05;) however, the scores of DVS, DDS and DQI were not significantly different. As a conclusion an overall nutrient intake and dietary quality of the Parkinson's Disease patients need to be improved regardless of duration of the disease and a well-balanced diet should be emphasized.
Alcohol Drinking ; Brain ; Diet ; Food Habits ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Nutritional Status ; Occupations ; Parkinson Disease ; Snacks